Negotiations with first-pair right defenseman Dan Girardi, also a pending unrestricted free agent, also are ongoing. Girardi, who likely would yield a bigger bounty on the rental market than Callahan, is believed to be seeking a six-year deal in the neighborhood of $5.5 million per season, which represents fair market value.

The Rangers have countered with two offers, one for six years at more than $5 million per and one for five years at more than $5.5 million per.

The Blueshirts, who have been regularly scouting the Avalanche, are believed to be interested in 25-year-old winger Jamie McGinn, a source reports.

The 6-1, 210-pounder, who has been promoted to a line with Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene after previously skating with Max Talbot and John Mitchell, has 19 points (12-7) in 49 games, averaging 15:08 per.